March 2, 2025
Modern Israel and the Church
A recent interview with New Testament scholar Jon Weatherly on how we should view modern Israel.
Articles for tag: Matthew 23
October 21, 2024
The Taste of Death
Before the cross, Jesus had seen death’s impact and he had heard the cries of those who had lost friends and loved ones, but at the cross, Jesus experienced the full measure of its indescribable pain and horror.
September 22, 2024
An Alternative to Selfies
Jesus still calls his followers to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Our selfie with him means being, as Paul put it, “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).
November 1, 2023
How to Lead with Love . . . Without Compromising Truth
By Ben Simms “How can we love people without compromising truth?” This is a complex and challenging question, yet Jesus demonstrated it throughout his ministry. In a world that increasingly seems to want to bring down the church and challenge the teachings of Jesus, we must seek to love. As culture wages war with the truth, we are constantly bombarded with messages that run counter to how Scripture calls us to live. One of our primary purposes on earth is to love people toward the kingdom of Jesus. The culture wars, while significant, can be a way for Satan to
September 25, 2023
Drinking Our Cup
Jesus was treated as he did not deserve so we could be treated as we do not deserve. . . .
August 14, 2023
Preparing for the Big Event
A big event is coming that will “eclipse” any other sight in the heavens.
Love Must Be the Foundation of a Disciple-Making Culture
By Brandon Guindon Our living room buzzed with conversation. Most of it focused around a new couple, James and Sara, who came to visit our small group. My wife, Amber, and I have led small groups for 20 years, and this was one of those evenings that will always stick with me. Before I called everyone together to begin our Bible lesson, I stood back and observed. I could not help but wonder what this new couple was thinking. What were they feeling as people greeted them, shook hands, even hugged? The room was filled with a relational warmth, and
April 17, 2023
April 23 | Application (‘When Things Don’t Go Your Way’)
In a culture obsessed with personal empowerment, the Lord offers a unique alternative to control. It’s called “surrender.”
October 17, 2022
October 23 | Rooted in Reason
Faith takes us beyond reason, but an informed faith is a faith that reasons. Psalm 119 calls us to love God “with” our minds (i.e., using reason). This psalm is among the most incredible pieces of literature in the Bible. . . .
April 1, 2021
How Simon of Cyrene’s Unexpected Journey Can Change Us
I relish my memories of playing college football. I often think back to the locker-room antics and bus rides. I think about the big wins and bad losses. I remember all the sayings from the coaches and laugh; some would be fight-worthy insults except for the personal relationships we had. In saying all of that, I should clarify that I wasn’t just an ordinary football player, I was an offensive lineman. I specify that because most offensive linemen would tell you what we most enjoyed about football was moving a man against his will wherever we wanted to push him.
December 7, 2020
Lesson for Dec. 13, 2020: Fulfilled through Love (Matthew 1:18-25; 22:34-40)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the December 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ “The Second Choice” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Dec. 13, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Let the birth of Jesus lead you to live by love. ________ By Mark Scott How does Christmas affect your love life? The question is not about how Christmas affects the present you buy for the love
December 7, 2020
The Second Choice (Dec. 13 Lesson Application)
This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Dec. 13, 2020: Fulfilled through Love (Matthew 1:18-25; 22:34-40) ________ By David Faust Joseph’s second choice impresses me more than his first one. His first choice was relatively easy. Mary was an eligible young woman, and no doubt Joseph found her attractive. Nazareth wasn’t a big town. It’s likely their families knew each other well and their parents approved of their engagement. The local grapevine buzzed with cheerful chatter about their upcoming wedding. As a gift for his wife, Joseph may have used his carpentry skills to build furniture for their
December 7, 2020
Discovery Questions for December 13, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Dec. 13, 2020: Fulfilled through Love (Matthew 1:18-25; 22:34-40) “The Second Choice” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What from this past week would you like to thank God for? 2. In what way did you bear fruit over the last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 1:18-25 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to retell the story as if telling it to a group of high school students. Then ask
July 2, 2018
Lesson for July 8, 2018: Jesus Criticizes Unjust Leaders (Matthew 23:1-4, 23-26)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 6 (weeks 25–28; June 24—July 15, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott If the unforgiving servant had a shrunken heart (last week’s lesson), the unjust leaders who condemned Jesus had shrunken souls (today’s lesson). While many Jews received Jesus gladly and became children of God (John 1:12), these “religious leaders” played the role of antagonists in the gospel record and in this
February 1, 2018
Naysayers at the Cross
By Ronald G. Davis Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him (Mark 15:29-32). The two chief
December 21, 2015
Lesson for December 27, 2015: A Generous Gift (Matthew 23:2″“12; Mark 12:38″“44)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the December 20 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Generous gifts and humble deeds sharply contrast with shrunken hearts and hypocritical actions. Today”s lesson shows that contrast in neon lights. The antagonists in the Gospels (the Pharisees, who were actually greatly respected) contrast sharply with a humble widow who made a most generous gift at
February 8, 2015
What Would Jesus Do (with My Sex Life)?
By Casey Tygrett Some won”t at first be comfortable with the question. But those who want to live more like Jesus will always think about Jesus at the same time they think about sex. It is something that”s enjoyable, even when it”s difficult or awkward. It can be enjoyed on every continent, in every country, in any place and””with a few exceptions””at any time. It involves all the senses, exploding into brilliant concert together at just the right moment. Some would say it is a God-given right, and discourage efforts to prevent it or regulate it. Some, of course, take
September 26, 2014
When Ministry Isn”t Fun
By Susan Lawrence “I have to work hard enough at my job””and I get paid for that. Volunteering for ministry shouldn”t take that much effort. If it”s not going to be fun, I”m not going to waste my time. I have more important things I”d rather do.” It”s the new epidemic of faulty reasoning about serving in the local church. A previous generation often served sacrificially out of obligation or guilt, sometimes at the expense of joy. But too many today refuse to serve if the task doesn”t bring them excitement or at least pleasure. “No one can make me.
September 7, 2014
To Lead Change You Must Be Changed
By Casey Tygrett If you have ever traveled via commercial airliner, you might be vaguely aware of the preflight safety talk. It”s something most people completely ignore, even though it could save your life and possibly others. The flight attendants tell you, “First put on your oxygen mask and then assist others.” My favorite flight was the one in which the flight attendant recommended we first put our mask on, and then put a mask on “the child most likely to pay for your retirement.” The directions may at first seem selfish and uncaring. However, if you have ever experienced
April 12, 2014
Fuzzy Worship
By Steve Wyatt God made us to worship him. Which means we need to get worship right. But at least four factors push worship out of proper focus. The No. 1 reason God gave you his breath is to bring him pleasure. “O Lord. . . . You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist” (Revelation 4:11, New Living Translation, 1996; author”s emphasis). “All things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16, King James Version; author”s emphasis). How much of “everything” is included in “all things?” ALL. Including you! You were made for God.
